Get out the breath mints and dress to impress for some speed dating with the Milwaukee International Film Festival.
But this isn't your average date.
Here, it's OK to talk only about yourself and your ideas as MIFF hosts: "Speed Dating: Find the Perfect Filmmaking Advice."
The free event welcomes filmmakers at any stage of production to pick the brains of successful panelists at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 and 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 at Von Trier, 2235 N. Farwell Ave. Interested filmmakers must pre-register by Monday, Sept. 24 by e-mailing their name, phone number and the date they would like to attend to panel@milwaukeefilmfest.org.
For those with an itch to write, produce, direct or do anything in film, the event is an unbeatable opportunity. Jon Jackson, MIFF program director, says the speed dating session is a chance to bounce ideas off of filmmakers and executives, get advice on their current projects, and learn the ins and outs of the business.
"MIFF gives local filmmakers, aspiring filmmakers, students and participants in the Midwest Filmmaker Competition the rare opportunity in Milwaukee to get face-to-face time with film executives from around the country," Jackson says.
Just as speed dating allows a few minutes with a couple different dates, MIFF is offering area filmmakers a chance to ask their burning questions and start networking in a speed-dating style. Participants will sit down with five people in the business for ten minutes each, so have your questions ready. The panelists are there to share their expertise and provide constructive criticism to push your project in the right direction. They have a range of experience to satisfy a wide variety of interests.
Some of the panel's experts include: Rebecca Conget, distribution vice president for Film Movement; Ericka Frederick, a Kodak executive and an Academy Award nominee as a producer for the short film "By Courier" in 2000; David Ichioka, a television producer and film director; Kramer Morgenthau, a cinematographer whose work includes the 2007 thriller, "Fracture"; Kathryn Washington, documentary television executive and ITVS program manager; and Mark Rance, a UK-based film producer and distributor.
Jackson says that topics participants should consider asking about run the gamut from finance, production and distribution, to directing and a film's visual appeal. ,If you have a question, whether its for a project in the works or a little spark in the back of your mind, this is the place to address.
Who knows, you might even get a second date.
